Peter

Peter, Peter, Peter . . . .

I could tell you how he has all these hard classes he HAS to pass this year to graduate (because he failed 3 of 4 during the Spring semester).  Or I could tell you about how he was going to get a job all summer and doesn't understand why people didn't know he was at home waiting to be hired.  (His application attempts were few and weak.)  I could tell you that he is driving with a learners permit and has grande plans to have a car and a licence when he turns 18 in October.  Yet he doesn't have a job and well no one here is going to hand him a car or pay for his insurance.  I could lament over how he has no friends I ever see and how he rarely leaves the house.  But what has prompted me to write is this . . . 

During PE on Thursday while playing football in the gym Peter injured his knee. (He is not playing football for the school due to poor grades.)  Peter wouldn't talk about it even though I could see something was wrong.  I learned the details Friday when the school nurse called suggesting I pick him up. She thought he should get off it because the knee was pretty swollen.  Later that day we ended up at a Sports Medicine Emergency Care.  I went in thinking he would tell us it was sprained and all would be well by Monday because that is what happened about this time last year.  However after examining Peter and hearing his story, the doctor is predicting that it is a torn ACL. Torn ACLs require surgery to repair. Peter just wanted to know if he could drive home (Answer was NO) and I just wanted to lay down on the exam room floor and cry. He is to have an MRI this week and we are to follow up with another doctor. There are lots of reasons why this all feels like a bad thing.  But after my high carb meal at Cook Out, cleaning house, Pandora Hymns station, and conversations with Jesus I am feeling less overwhelmed and more hopeful.  I am choosing to trust God will use this for Peter's good and no doubt mine as well. None the less if you think of it this week, I appreciate your prayers.  

My Classroom

A year ago I transitioned to working at First Baptist Day School full time.  For over two years prior I had worked there part time in addition to my special needs preschool job. I had been working as a one-on-one aid in the summer and head of After school Program in the school year.  So last year I was doing both of those roles in addition to assisting a teacher in a 3 year old class whenever I wasn't needed with the other.  It was fun but a bit disjointed.  This summer when that 3 year old teacher moved into a different role, I was given the position of the lead teacher for that class. So now I am in one role all day.  This summer I lead her kids in our summer program while prepping the room to receive a new batch of 3 year old's August 1st.  The former teacher had been in the room a long time and there was a lot of "unearthing" and "rearranging" needed.  The room felt busy and I had a specific vision for a calmer room setting.  Through the help of friends and co-workers along with some good thrift store finds and craft store coupons, I was able to create a learning space in which I am delighted to spend most of my day.  Want to see????

Inspired by a picture on Pinterest and helped by friends (Thanks Nydia) my door into the classroom
was turned into a Caravan Camper.  The flags have the names of the children.  The plan is to decorate
according to season.  Someone recently referred to my room as "the retirement home "
(because of the camper and peaceful interior.)

So the tinfoil was an afterthought developed when the hole I cut out of the paper was bigger than
the square window.  Just goes to show that sometimes acting out of necessity can make things better.

The pennant banner is our birthday calendar.  Each one represents a month and has the names
of children who have birthday's that month.  My bulletin board boarder and
circle time calendar all came from the Dollar Tree or Target $1 bins. This
area (just below out of sight) is known as "the gathering spot."
It is home of dancing, yoga, stories, and circle time.

I love my circle time chair.  A $15 thrift store fine with about $15 of paint.  Pillows were given to me by Gwen.
I snagged the easel for $5 at a yard sale to learn it is an expensive Pottery Barn easel.  In the basket are my
 Dollar Tree rugs that we use for Yoga and circle time.

The "manipulative" shelf was being thrown out by my mom's neighbor. I love this little
manipulative/writing/science corner.  Its a favorite with the kids.  The hornets nest was left
from the previous teacher and I brought in my Aloe plant that was not thriving at my house.

This is what inspired the theme.  I found this table top (without a base) at a ReStore a couple of
years ago along with two old school chairs.  I stored it in my shed waiting for "some day."  Nick, my parent's
 neighbor built the table base. I am so glad I bought it even not knowing what for.

I love my 3 posters from Cavallini Papers & Co.  They add just the right vintage flair.
 I added wood strips on top and bottom to give an old school feel. 

Nick's wife, Gwen has an amazing  fabric stash and had rolls of this polka dotted fabric.
And well it just so happened to match my crazy plum colored wall.  She made us these
fabulous curtains. It adds a little charm and just enough darkness at nap time.  This is
 the space where I hope to put a small sensory table.  I am working on getting one built.

The poster is a color wheel. Left door leads to bathroom.  The cabinet is the art station.  Above is
a bulletin board that serves as command central.  And the door with my hat and apron houses
my well organized and labeled craft/resource closet.  On the shelf, Pete the Cat is guarding our much
appreciated classroom IPad.  Pete moves each weekend.  He is kind of like Elf on the Shelf.
The kids enjoy looking to see where he is each Monday

This is my $10 table that I love.  I made the crate benches with the help of Pinterest, friends, and coupons.
 We use this table for all kinds of activities.  See the black rolling shelf?  It is for my circle time gear and
 it was $3 at a yard sale. Way above it is the ever so valuable visual timer.  The time is demonstrated
 by red.  When the red is gone, it beeps, and the kids all cheer.  Often I hear, "set the timer!"

This is the home living center (left side) and library (right). I was determined to replace
the plastic kitchen previously in my room.  Again with help and donations from Nick and Gwen, I got
a very fun vintage home living center that the kids love.  The chair in the library was $1 at a thrift store painted
with 50 cent jar of  Home Depot ooops paint.

The kitchen was a kids tool bench I bought for $1 at a thrift store.  Nick worked some carpentry magic, Stephen
painted it, and Gwen made the super cute curtain.  I painted this table hiding in my shed to create an Island/crib/
cash register stand. The storage bench was Gwen's discard and a favorite hang out.  

I love my classroom.  When people stop in and say, "oh how peaceful," I am like "yeah! That's what I was hoping for."  The best part of the room though is the staff and kids.  I work with a couple of great ladies who aid the peaceful vibe and keep things moving. And the kids are FABULOUS!!  The people truly are what make this room a great place to be.

So it happens.  I come and go.  The last few months have been busy, hot and I just haven't been motivated to blog. No good excuse.  But then it really is no big loss.  We all know I do this for me.  I am just grateful for those who humor me and look at my ramblings.  I do have a few things I would like to say and pictures to share so I am going to try to do some catch up in the coming weeks.  Today I am going to start by sharing pictures from dad's 80th birthday.  Dad turned 80 on July 6th and on the 3rd Mom and I surprised dad with a little cake party at the club house in their senior subdivision. We were all surprised by the turn out of 60 plus people.  Though we weren't sure when dad first arrived if he appreciated our efforts, he seemed to really enjoy the celebration.  As always mom was very thoughtful in her planning and did a great job putting this together. There were folks representing many aspects of dad's life including current and past neighbors, co workers from several jobs, friends from church, and other people who have been a part of our lives here in Gainesville.  Thanks Tammy for the great pictures that documented the event so well.

Hermie is Dead

Today I discovered that Hermie my hermit crab has "bit the dust," "kicked the bucket," "crossed over the rainbow bridge," "entered that big sand dune in the sky" etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if he died of a broken heart.  I told Peter in Hermie's presence, " I am not going to take you to the beach!' No hope of going to the beach may have been what brought his life to an end (or the fact I can't remember when I last cleaned his cage.)

I am pretty certain Hermie would want to be buried at sea.

So it looks like Hermie and I may be headed out on a beach trip after all.

Scary

Today I did the scariest thing I think I have ever done.

• Scarier than climbing to the top of the high ropes course
• Scarier than moving to Africa alone to live
• Scarier than driving in Uganda

Today I rode in the passenger seat while Peter drove my car around the neighbor! WHOOOAAA

He actually did well but I had to quit after about 20 minutes to get my heart rate to slow down! 

blah blah blah plus request

So since  my last post I have written many post in my head.  I have told you about some of my daily celebration adventures, quotes that I have made up, and other random stories.  But as is often the case, they have not reached the keyboard.  There is no real excuse, just not the priority.  I am trying to get back into running and some regular exercise.  Actually rising early in the morning to run a 5K tomorrow.  I am trying to readjust my sleeping schedule to "early to bed and early to rise" which is a whole new concept or me.  The past two weeks I was obsessed with redecorating my bathroom.  Now I am knitting little baby hats.  I am also making plans to sell my recycled gift card guitar picks and jewelry at an upcycle market at the end of April.  So lots of things to consume time and energy.  But there are a couple of things I want to share as well as ask of you so I am writing this little entry.

 

As stated above, I am working on some recycled item crafts.  For the April 30th market I need all the used, empty gift cards (the ones you spent and are going to throw away) that I can get my hands on. So if you have any just hanging around and want to send them my way, I am happy to give them new life.  I have another project (actually for Christmas) and am gathering wine corks.  So for those who like me hate to throw those kind of things away and want them to be useful, I would like to help.

 

The second request is for prayer for Peter.  I know many of you do or have prayed regularly for him.  I just felt the need to ask for a renewed effort.  It is hard to explain to you what is going on and many would respond that it is typical teenager.  I am not convinced that it is.  It definitely seems like more. His motivation is practically nil.  His expectations and perception of life are extremely skewed.  There is no evidence that he has any real friends.  A few weeks ago he made a choice that was extremely dangerous but he was oblivious and totally in denial when it was addressed.  He does not listen to advice or accept instruction.  I am aware that some of the stuff going on is because I enable it.  And I am working to break the cycle but it is not without a lot of yuck.  It is scary to watch the path he is currently on because  the current course  is certainly not headed upward.  Again many would tell me not to be alarmed but I am.  It has made me more prayerful and it made me want to ask others to pray for him as well.

 

This Wednesday March 16th is Saint Larry's day.  It will mark one year since my brother Larry's death.  In honor of this day I am taking the day off to spend with my folks.  The current plan is to have a work day in Mom and Dad's yard preparing their backyard flower garden.  The plan is to make this a day of celebration of family.  So if you think of it say a little prayer for us and share a favorite Larry memory if you have one.

more days of the year

So as recently mentioned, I like celebrating the more obscure holidays as I find on Days of Year.com.  So here is a little update on my celebrations.


On February 11th I did wear white.  I did spill the milk without crying about it.  I did make new friends, Daysi and Rebel.   I gave out guitar picks to my co workers.  And I was satisfied staying single for that day as well.

On February 13th to celebrate "Get a New Name" day, I gave myself a new name for the day.  Indigo Blu (Indie for short).  But I was home alone most of the day so I am the only one that called me that.

Monday February 15th was Single Awareness Day.  I had planned my second annual SAD party to take place at a local Mexican restaurant however due to expected bad weather (that never happened by the way) I postponed it.  So I spent the evening crafting and watching movies. 

Tuesday February 16th was "Do a Grouch a Favor" day.  I didn't give Peter any chores that day.  I figured that counted.

On Wednesday February 17th I celebrated "Random Acts of Kindness Day."  I did an act so random that I am not sure who benefited. Someone out there got a $20 bill when unknown to me it fell out of my pocket.  When discovered I decided that counted for my random act of kindness.  Can't get much more random than that.

Thursday February 18th was "Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast." Since it was also my co-worker's birthday, it was a convenient way for our preschool kids and I to celebrate her while having ice cream for breakfast. 

Though not found on the Days of the Year website, Friday marked mine and Peter's 13th anniversary of when we became family by his coming to live with me.  I bought Chinese take out to celebrate.

Today is Sticky Bun day so I baked a can of cinnamon rolls that I had in the fridge.  I bought and baked them for Peter yet managed to eat two already.

Looking ahead . . .
Tomorrow the 22nd  is Margarita Day.

Tuesday the 23rd is International Dog Biscuit Day.  I don't have a dog but recently found some "Scooby Snacks" that are graham crackers shaped like dog biscuits.  Seems like Tuesday will be a good day to share with the kids at the preschool.

The 24th is Tortilla Chip Day.  That is Peter's staple food!  And since the fourth Wednesday in February is also "Inconvenience Yourself Day" maybe I will do so and go buy Peter a bag of tortilla chips and throw in some salsa.

This one wasn't on the website either but Thursday the 25th is my friend Debbie's birthday!

Friday is my favorite this week.  It is "For Pete's Sake Day."  And since I have a Pete(r) in my life, I am sure I can find something to do for his sake that day.  Maybe more Chinese take out.

Saturday is Kahlua Day.  I have a good Kahlua cake recipe - hmmmm. 

Sunday is Floral design day.

Monday February 29th is Leap Day.  When I canceled the Single Awareness Day party I rescheduled it for Monday February 29th making it a "Leap for Joy, We're Single" party. I was amused to recently discover that on Days of the Year it is marked as Bachelor Day.  I guess I wasn't that far off.

May all your days be a celebration.